The Malaysian Insight

MOHAMED Azmin Ali today apologised for “any shortcomings” committed during his tenure as international trade and industry minister in the Perikatan Nasional government.

“It has always been my intention to address the economic hardships and preserve jobs for the people,” he said in a tweet.

“Although the economy is recovering, many (have) suffered during this ruthless global pandemic. My sincere apologies for any of my shortcomings. It has been an honour to serve you,” he added, using the emoji of the Malaysian flag.

His farewell message, coming after Muhyiddin and the PN cabinet resigned earlier today, was greeted with scorn from Twitter users, with some reminding him of his role in the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in February last year.

Twitter user @xeraheadstrong said it is too late to apologise, while another said Azmin was receiving divine retribution for betraying the people’s mandate.

“YB, rakyat will remember you, for the worst betrayals of the Rakyat’s mandate. Chose to destabilise the nation by conspiring to form a backdoor government (PN) with corrupt parties that RAKYAT wholeheartedly rejected in PRU 14. Divine retribution – what goes around comes around,” a tweet by @ksampoh said.

@SuhaFarinordin tweeted similarly, saying “Mereka naik dengan pengkhianatan, mereka akan turun dengan pengkhianatan” (Those who rise to power through betrayal will also fall through betrayal).

@MohdNazrinJ, meanwhile, blamed Azmin for the rising number of Covid-19 cases and deaths as he had allowed industries to operate for the sake of the economy.

@faruqmcgrath called the former minister a “servant to factories, not to the people”. (Kau serve pengusaha kilang, bukan rakyat.)

Azmin was one of the 11 former PKR MPs who joined with Muhyiddin’s faction in Bersatu, Umno, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak to usher in the unelected PN government.

The Gombak MP and former PKR deputy president was one of the key figures associated with the parliamentary coup, dubbed the “Sheraton move”.

While with PH, he had been economic affairs minister.

Azmin is now a member of Bersatu’s supreme council. – August 16, 2021.